CHATTER AWAY: Overnight Open Thread

The first teaser trailer for Disney’s live-action Aladdin offers a wealth of riches far beyond whatever lies in the Cave of Wonders. We’re talking lush orchestrations, dramatic establishing shots, and what we can presume is a much more realistic Iago. The teaser also gives us our first look at Mena Massoud as the title role. Joining him are Will Smith as the Genie, Naomi Scott as Jasmine, and Marwan Kenzari as Jafar, as well as Saturday Night Live vet Nasim Pedrad and Tony nominee Billy Magnussen as new characters. The new film, directed by Guy Ritchie, will land in theatres May 24, 2019.

Song lyrics by gay playwright Howard Ashman, who died of AIDS in 1991. Ashman won Best Original Song Oscars for The Little Mermaid and Beauty And The Beast and was nominated five other times in the same category, including for Aladdin. He holds the record for posthumous nominations.